April 2, 2025, marks a significant date in
Liiga's calendar as
Assat Pori prepares to face off against
Kalpa Hockey. This matchup's been on fans’ minds, considering the recent performances and history between these two Finnish powerhouses. With the season winding down, every point counts, making this encounter even more critical for both teams.
Roster Rundown
Assat Pori's lineup boasts some heavy hitters, with Feetu Knihti leading the charge. The forward has racked up an impressive 45 points this season, making him a pivotal player in their offensive strategies. Roope Talaja, another key figure, has contributed 34 points, with his knack for finding the net proving invaluable. In defense, Rami Maatta stands tall, and his defensive prowess, coupled with 25 assists, makes him a dual threat. Goaltender Niklas Rubin has been a wall between the pipes, maintaining a .920 save percentage; his presence is crucial for Assat's chances.
Yet, not all is smooth sailing for
Assat Pori. The absence of Olli Palola and Jan-Mikael Jarvinen due to injuries could hinder their depth, forcing the rest of the squad to step up.
Kalpa Hockey, on the other hand, will rely heavily on Ville Ruotsalainen, who’s been lighting up the scoreboard this season with 50 points. Juuso Maenpaa adds to the offensive firepower with 40 points, while Jesper Mattila in defense has been a rock, contributing 28 assists. Between the pipes, Juha Jatkola's .918 save percentage has been a testament to his consistency.
Kalpa, too, has its share of setbacks with the absence of Patrick Curry and Aleksi Klemetti. Their missing presence might just tip the balance in this tight contest.
Head-to-Head
Over their 59 encounters, these teams have been neck and neck, with Kalpa narrowly leading the series with 30 wins to Assat's 28. Their most recent meetings have seen Kalpa coming out on top, including a 4-1 victory not long ago. It's a rivalry that’s always delivered excitement.
Recent Form
Assat Pori's latest outings have been a mixed bag. They’ve fallen short twice against Kalpa, with scores of 4-1 and 3-1 but managed to bounce back with victories over HPK Hameenlinna, pulling off a convincing 5-1 win and a tighter 2-1 game.
Kalpa Hockey's recent form has been impressive, aside from a hiccup against KooKoo Kouvola, where they stumbled 5-1. They’ve otherwise been dominant, notching up a solid 6-3 win against Ilves Tampere.
Wrap-Up
This matchup is poised to be a pivotal point in the league standings. Assat's slight edge in recent games against HPK shows they can rebound from losses, but their struggles against Kalpa this season can't be ignored. Kalpa, riding high on their current form, will look to capitalize on Assat's injury woes.
Summary
With both teams having their strengths and weaknesses, this game promises to be a thrilling watch. Kalpa’s recent dominant performances and Assat's injury concerns might just swing momentum in favor of Kalpa. But, if Assat can rally their troops and Rubin stands tall in the net, they’ve got a fighting chance to even the score in the season series. This one’s bound to keep fans on the edge of their seats.
Match Odds Assat Pori – Kalpa Hockey
Leon's odds are - on Assat Pori winning on their territory.
At this moment our odds are equal to - on Kalpa Hockey visiting team's winning.
Draw odds are -.
